An Esthetician's Point of View

retinol scrub

Do you have rough, bumpy (usually red) skin on the back of your arms? This is called Keratosis Pilaris or chicken skin. It is very common and harmless but annoying. They are caused by dead skin blocking the hair follicles.

I used to recommend the Clarisonic. I still think there are a lot of benefits to using a facial brush but now that I have found Konjac Sponges, I don’t find the facial brush as necessary. Exfoliating your skin is extremely important and I have often written and spoken about it. I have also said that you should not over-exfoliate because that can be damaging to the skin.

I now want to provide you with even more information on exfoliating and the Clarisonic.

1. This brush should definitely not be used every morning and night. That is way too much especially if you are using other exfoliating items in your routine like a scrub or glycolic acid.

2. Too much exfoliation can cause dryness because it allows moisture to leave the cells more easily. Leaving you more dehydrated. This brush (or any brush) should be considered when you think about your exfoliation schedule.

3. When you exfoliate your skin, we call that a form of trauma. That is a good thing…occasionally. Exfoliation causes trauma which then puts your skin in repair mode and stimulates cellular regeneration. If you over-exfoliate, you can trigger premature aging. The opposite of what everyone wants!

4. Aggressive exfoliation can cause inflammation (even if you don’t see it). Chronic and prolonged inflammation is a major cause of aging and also bad for acne.

5. The Clarisonic (or any facial brush, harsh wash cloths, facial scrubs) is considered a physical exfoliant and if your skin is extremely reactive to stimulation, it’s important to be more gentle so that you don’t cause post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation. Those who are prone to discoloration and skin of color should be extra cautious!

6. Sometimes the Clarisonic is just too much stimulation for your skin and it will cause breakouts. If this is you, don’t wait for your skin to get used to it. Stop using it! Everyone is different and it may not work for you. I am one of those people.

My recommendation-

I will give just a general exfoliation schedule but this could be different for your skin type. Contact me for a consultation and we can discuss your specific needs

Glycolic Acid is my favorite form of chemical exfoliation to use at home. Skin Scripts Glycolic Cleanseris great. You feel a tingle but it’s effective! Use this about 2-3x a week. Pm only.

For your physical exfoliation, choose either a scrub (Skin Script Retinol Scrub is amazing!) or the Konjac Sponge(inexpensive replacement for a facial brush). The Retinol Scrub should be used about 2-3 times a week and the Konjoac Sponge can be used every other night. Pm only.

The chemical exfoliant (glycolic acid) will dissolve the dead skin and the physical exfoliant (sponge, brush or scrub) will lift off the dead skin. Different but both are necessary!

If you’re looking for a great exfoliating scrub then look no further. This is a client favorite and makes your skin look and feel amazing. One of the best things about this scrub is that it can be doubled as a mask. If you leave it on for 10 minutes, then the retinol has more opportunity to get in there and do what it needs to do.

Bonus Tip! Use the Glycolic Cleanser first, leave it on and then apply the scrub/mask. Tingling is normal. This addition will boost instant results!

This scrub is a powerful cellular turnover scrub with Retinol (Vitamin A) and jojoba beads to clean, soothe and polish the skin. The retinol encourages the breakup of blackheads and clogged pores, jojoba beads gently exfoliate dead skin cells, while kojic lightens age spots and blemishes left from scars.

Sunscreen Buildup? This happens so often in the summer because we are applying a lot more sunscreen than we do in the winter. This is a great scrub to help fight through the buildup and clean those pores!

Have you ever thought about giving your neck a facial? Neckial? Necial? Whatever you want to call it. 🙂

It’s cold and that means we are wearing scarves and turtlenecks. The fabric constantly rubbing against your skin can cause a build-up of dry skin. Wool is worst culprit.

Well, next time you are exfoliating your face (pm only), make sure you include your neck. Try this great scrub! Looking upward, keeping the skin taut, gently massage the neck for about 1 minute. This area is more delicate than the face so let the scrub do the work.

What is Rosacea? A very common skin disease that affects people over the age of 30. It causes redness on your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. Some people get little bumps and pimples on the red parts of their faces. Rosacea can also cause burning and soreness in your eyes.

What Causes Rosacea? Experts don’t know what causes this yet. They do know that something is irritating the skin but they know it isn’t an infection caused by bacteria. Usually those with fair skin or who blush easily are prone and it seems to run in families.

Symptoms? Redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead. Small visible blood vessels on the face. Bumps or pimples on the face. Watery or irritated eyes.

There is no cure for Rosacea but some food and beverages can trigger the symptoms (alcohol and spicy foods are common) as well as anything that normally causes your skin to get red, like working out. It’s up to you to figure out what causes your flare-ups. Ignoring this condition can possibly make it worse, researchers have found.

What to Use: All products should be calming and gentle for the skin. Hydration is very important! This is what I recommend as far as Skin Script and Le Mieux products go…

Green Tea Cleanser: Makes my skin feel cleansed and refreshed. I love it!
Blemish Pads: These pads are amazing! They diminish any breakouts by the next morning!
Glycolic Cleanser: Deep cleansing that feels so amazing!
Retinol Mask: I use this once a week and I love how great my skin feels right after and the next day. Excellent way to exfoliate!!
Sunscreen: This is a must have for me! Great coverage and feels light on skin. Excellent skin protection!

The products from skincare by Devyn are all so amazing. They have truly transformed my skin. I had problem areas before and now my skin is totally balanced and radiant! Thank you Devyn for introducing me to your amazing line! I am a client for life!